Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
http://www.alb.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X2025
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Short Research Note

First record of the invasive dinoflagellate Ceratium furcoides (Levander) Langhans, 1925 in a subtropical coastal freshwater lagoon in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Primeiro registro do dinoflagelado invasor Ceratium furcoides (Levander) Langhans, 1925 em uma lagoa costeira subtropical de água doce no estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Renato Miziara Assef dos Santos; Lorena Pinheiro Silva; Odete Rocha; Mauricio Mello Petrúcio; Luzia Cleide Rodrigues

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X2025 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.37, e34, 2025
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Abstract

Ceratium is a planktonic dinoflagellate commonly found in temperate continental waters. In recent decades, Ceratium species have been reported in tropical water bodies, where they are considered invasive. These organisms exhibit high dispersal capacity, adaptability, and rapid colonization of new environments. This study reports the first occurrence of Ceratium furcoides in a natural environment in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, specifically in Peri Lake, a coastal freshwater lake in Florianópolis used for public water supply, recreation, and tourism. For species identification, several Ceratium specimens were analyzed focusing on the arrangement of apical plates, a key morphological trait distinguishing C. furcoides from C. hirundinella. The presence of C. furcoides was recorded during monthly zooplankton monitoring of Peri Lake. Ceratium furcoides is often associated with significant ecological impacts, causing alterations in aquatic communities and contributing to water quality degradation. Its uncontrolled proliferation can affect trophic structure, nutrient availability, and compromise local biodiversity. Continuous monitoring and studies correlating the dinoflagellate's occurrence with limnological variables are necessary to elucidate the main factors driving C. furcoides proliferation and to inform management strategies aimed at mitigating potential ecological, social, and economic issues.

Keywords

bioinvasion; exotic species; phytoplankton; coastal lake

Resumo

Ceratium é um dinoflagelado planctônico comumente encontrado em águas continentais de regiões temperadas. Nas últimas décadas, espécies de Ceratium têm sido registradas em corpos d’água tropicais, sendo, nestes locais, consideradas espécies invasoras. Esses organismos apresentam alta dispersão, adaptação e rápida colonização aos ambientes. Este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência do Ceratium furcoides em um ambiente natural no estado de Santa Catarina, na Lagoa do Peri em Florianópolis, sendo uma lagoa costeira de água doce utilizada para o abastecimento público, atividades de recreação e turismo. Para a identificação da espécie, alguns exemplares de Ceratium foram analisados para verificar a disposição das placas apicais, característica primordial para distinguir o C. furcoides do C. hirundinella. O registro de ocorrência do Ceratium furcoides se deu durante as análises mensais do monitoramento na Lagoa do Peri. O Ceratium furcoides é frequentemente associado a impactos ecológicos significativos, promovendo alterações nas comunidades aquáticas e contribuindo para a degradação da qualidade da água. Seu crescimento descontrolado pode afetar a estrutura trófica dos ecossistemas, influenciar a disponibilidade de nutrientes e comprometer a biodiversidade local. O monitoramento e estudos de correlação entre o dinoflagelado e as variáveis limnológicas da lagoa são necessários para que seja possível entender os principais fatores que contribuem para a proliferação do Ceratium furcoides e para buscar medidas que possam sanar possíveis problemas ecológicos, sociais e econômicos.

Palavras-chave

bioinvasão; espécies exóticas; fitoplâncton; lagoa costeira

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Submitted date:
03/14/2025

Accepted date:
10/17/2025

Publication date:
11/28/2025

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